Shloka 79
Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya
Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification
परेषां च तथा दोषं न प्रशंसेद्विचक्षणः । विशेषेण तथा ब्रह्मञ्छ्रुतं दृष्टं च नो वदेत्
pareṣāṃ ca tathā doṣaṃ na praśaṃsedvicakṣaṇaḥ | viśeṣeṇa tathā brahmañchrutaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ ca no vadet
বিচক্ষণ ব্যক্তি অন্যের দোষে আনন্দ নেবে না, দোষ প্রচারও করবে না। বিশেষত, হে ব্রাহ্মণ, যা কেবল শুনেছে বা দেখেছেও, তা (নিন্দা ছড়াতে) বলা উচিত নয়।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Ethics of speech in Kāśī’s dharma teaching: refraining from fault-finding and rumor preserves inner purity, making the mind fit for Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
Significance: Supports sāttvika speech and compassion; reduces interpersonal karma and mental agitation, aiding japa/dhyāna in the sacred kṣetra.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that a Shiva-bhakta purifies karma and mind by refusing to spread others’ defects; restraint in speech supports inner śuddhi (purity), which is essential for grace (anugraha) and liberation in Shaiva thought.
Linga-worship emphasizes inner purity along with outer ritual; avoiding slander and gossip is a direct form of mental worship (mānasa-pūjā), aligning the devotee with Shiva’s sattvic, compassionate nature.
Practice vāṅ-niyama (discipline of speech) during japa of the Panchakshara mantra—silence where possible, speaking only what is true and beneficial—especially on Mahashivratri or during daily Shiva-puja.